EDDI READER - The Brindley, Runcorn

You might imagine that after 40 years of singing all around the world, time would have taken its toll on her voice, but for me, Eddi Reader’s singing continues to be as clear in tone and resonance as it has ever been.

She has a real gift of being able to sing a song acappella, starting without being given as much as a key note. “Wish Me Well”, started off the evening in style, “Fools Rush In”, then gave way to “Silent Bells”, a song that has proved to be an audience pleaser for many years.

Eddi is unique, being a folk artist who also enjoyed a number 1 hit in the pop charts with her band, Fairground Attraction. One of her songs from that era, “Find My Love”, which she mischievously dedicated to Donald Trump and all the Mexicans living in Runcorn!!!

A very short life span is the fate of all “Dragonflies “, you can tell by the delivery that this is one of Eddi’s favourite songs.

On the night the band consisted of Boo Hewerdine, Alan Kelly, Kevin Maguire and Eddi’s husband John who penned my favourite of Eddi’s songs, “Wild Mountainside”, a love song par excellance.

Boo delivered a solo, “The Night is Young”, with Eddi continuing with, “A Sailor’s Farewell to the Sea”, followed by the beautiful, “Horizon”.

It’s the songs from her native Scotland that sees Eddi at her most animated as here with, “Charlie is My Darling”, giving way to, “Galileo”.

No concert by Eddi would ever be complete without that special hit song, “Perfect:, performed with the same power and clarity as all those years ago.

The poignant, “Moon River”, brought a fitting end to an evening only Eddi Reader can deliver.

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